WARRINGTON residents are being urged to ensure they don’t miss out on changes to the national reform of the welfare system when Disability
Living Allowance (DLA) is replaced by Personal Independence
Payments (PIP) from Monday 8 April 2013.
Whilst most existing DLA claimants won’t be affected until 2015, Warrington is one of 12 ‘pathfinder’ areas working with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
Dave Thompson, (pictured right) founder and chair of Warrington Disability Partnership explained: “Personal Independent Payments will initially be for new claimants and those reporting a change in their circumstances from April onwards this year. It is very important that anyone living in Warrington who is invited to claim for PIP does so, or they may lose their entitlement to their current Disability Living Allowance.
“There are a number of significant changes that will be introduced under PIP and the advice of members of the Warrington welfare reform working group is that anyone in doubt should seek professional advice from organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, Jobcentre Plus or Warrington Disability Partnership.”
The DWP will be writing to the 5,830 registered DLA claimants in the town over the coming weeks to tell them more about the changes and what their new benefit rate is likely to be.
Personal Independence Payments help towards the extra costs arising from the impact of a disability, health condition or impairment. It’s based on an independent assessment of how a person’s condition(s) affect their ability to lead an independent life, not the condition(s) they have.
Claimants will be asked to complete a questionnaire about how their disability affects them, most people will then be asked to attend a face-to-face consultation with a health professional. Claimants are welcome to take somebody with them to support them eg a social worker, friend or carer.
There are two components of PIP – one for daily living and one for mobility both can be paid at a standard or an enhanced rate. The proposed 2013/14 rates are detailed below:
*Daily living enhanced rate – £79.15
*Daily living standard rate – £53.00
*Mobility enhanced rate – £55.25
*Mobility standard Rate – £21.00.
Some things aren’t changing. Like DLA, PIP will not be considered as income for the purpose of entitlement to current income-related benefits, or in future Universal Credit. PIP can be claimed whether someone is working or not, and it can still help people access other support, such as carer’s allowance.
Awards will also be reviewed more regularly to make sure the right level of support is offered.
PIP is being introduced on a gradual basis from April 2013 onwards in a limited geographic area, including Warrington. The majority of existing DLA claimants won’t start to be invited to claim PIP until October 2015.
DLA isn’t changing for children or those aged 65 or over from Monday 8 April 2013 when PIP is introduced in Warrington.
Useful information about welfare reform can be found on Warrington Borough Council’s website at www.warrington.gov.uk/welfarereform
A simple summary of PIP and what’s happening, where and when can be found at www.gov.uk/pip this website also features a payment checker uses the claimant’s date of birth to work out how and when they might be affected.
